The final chapter of the "X" trilogy has arrived. Following "X" [2022] and its prequel "Pearl" [2022] we now get the last part of the story. "MaXXXine" takes places in 1985 and it follows Maxine Minx [Mia Goth], the final girl in "X".
Maxine now works as a successful porn star in Los Angeles, but that isn't enough for her. She wants to become a real Hollywood movie star and she lives by a motto we have heard before: "I Will Not Accept a Life I Do Not Deserve." Right when Maxine gets a chance for a role in a real movie her violent past threatens to destroy all of her dreams.
A satanic serial killer is on the loose and several of Maxine's colleagues and friends are murdered. At the same time Maxine is getting harassed by a mysterious private detective, John Labat [Kevin Bacon]. Maxine will have to fight back if she wants to survive and keep following her dreams. She must do whatever it takes.
"X" was a pure horror movie which owed a lot to "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" [1974]. The excellent "Pearl" prequel on the other hand was a drama, following a young girl's descend into madness, and it had some horror elements too. The new movie "MaXXXine" is a crime movie with some horror elements.
"MaXXXine" is a great trip back to the 1980s, my all-time favorite decade. The movie does an excellent job of bringing us back in time. It looks just right and it sounds right with Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" on the soundtrack.
It feels right too, with all the insane puritan fucks (like Parents Music Resource Center) who thought up insanities like warning labels on records. There's even a mention of Prince's "Darling Nikki" in the movie as one of the "dangerous" songs they were so afraid of.
Will Maxine make it to the top or will her violent past catch up with her and get her burned at the stake? Well, see the movie and find out. Well, kind of find out. The ending is actually quite open for interpretation, and I'm not sure yet. I'll have to watch it again to make up my mind about what actually happened.
I think it was a fine final chapter of the trilogy. It helps of course, if you liked the first 2 movies and particularly if you love the memories of the 1980s. It also helps if you like Mia Goth. This movie is vey much a Mia Goth one-woman show, much like "Pearl" was. I think she does a great job again. Mia Goth has become one of my favorite actresses.
"MaXXXine" doesn't reach the quality of "Pearl" though, which is the best prequel I have ever watched, and it remains the best movie in the trilogy. I do however think "MaXXXine" is a fine movie and I am really glad that it got a Danish cinema release. I look forward to watch it again on Blu-ray whenever it gets released, and to watch the entire trilogy back to back.
Bonus info: look out for the Theda Bara sidewalk Hollywood Star. Pearl's pet alligator was named after this actress.
Rating: 
Movie Title: MaXXXine
Director: Ti West
This Release: 2024
Genres: Horror, Crime
RunTime: 103
Actors: Mia Goth, Simon Prast, Elizabeth Debicki, Kevin Bacon
Movie Format: Cinema
Content Type: Movie Review
Language: 
Updated: 2024-08-29 19:29
Created: 2024-08-29 19:14
